Camden ordered to explain how it will make deadly junction safer for cyclists

Deadly intersection: The junction at Vernon Place and Southampton Row in Bloomsbury Picture: Google Street View

A council has been ordered to explain how it plans to improve safety at a junction where three cyclists have been killed in 10 years, the Standard can reveal today.

Camden has been sent a prevention of future death report by Coroner Mary Hassell urging “early consideration” of the deadly intersection at Vernon Place and Southampton Row in Bloomsbury.

It follows the death last November of architecture expert Francis Golding, 69, three days after colliding with a left-turning tourist coach - one of six cyclists killed in a fortnight in London.

Details of the coroner’s report can be reported after the Chief Coroner, Judge Peter Thornton QC, approved an Evening Standard request to overturn Ms Hassell’s refusal to make the document public.

Earlier this month at an inquest at St Pancras coroner’s court, she found that Mr Golding died as as result of a road traffic collision.

In her report, she told Camden: “Whilst of course every road user has a responsibility to take care at junctions, it does seem that this junction leaves cyclists particularly vulnerable.

“There is also, I heard, an issue with the oncoming bus lane not leaving any additional space for cycles.”

She said a council official who said the area was being considered for improvements was “a little vague” - despite the fact that Mr Golding died six months ago.

Ms Hassell continued: “I appreciate that the planning of road layout consists of much more than simply reacting to adverse events but, given the circumstances of the collision in which Mr Golding lost his life, and bearing in mind the other collisions that have occurred at this junction, it seems that Vernon Place/ Southampton Row would benefit from early consideration by your team.”

Camden has been given until June 10 to outline its plans or explain why no action is being taken. The council failed to respond to requests for comment.